Courtship simple definition

Though this tradition is old and not as standard as it was in the past, people still practice harana today. Filipinos are romantic people, and this tradition reflects that. Recently, I saw an Instagram reel user aiko.griffin posted, showing her experience with Harana. She watched from her window as he sang: he and his friend sounded so good! In her video, she expressed that she felt very special because of this romantic act.

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I also asked my mom if she experienced Harana and she told me all about her experience when she was in university. She explained how early in the morning before the sun rose, the girls in the dorm would hear: This song is dedicated to room 104, resident Joy Cruz! A group of boys from their college arrived to do Harana for the girls! All of the girls would get excited when the boys did Harana. After one of them announced who their special mention was, they started singing sweetly to them. She mentioned that they were very good singers and they played the guitar very well. You dont know who is singing because its so dark outside; you just enjoy the song someone is singing just for you. However, after the day starts, everyone starts talking to each other. Thats when you find out who sang to you that morning. It sounds like it was a lot of fun. She said that she still remembers the name of the song that someone sang to her when she was in college: Youre My Everything. by Martin Nievera.

Harana is a very social-oriented event. It takes place when it is dark outside to avoid the heat during the day, and this makes it easier for people to socialize. Not only does the man bring his friends with him, but everyone in the house can hear him, too! A Filipino house is never empty. In the Philippines, extended family will often live under one roof: grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends (considered family also), cousins, etc. Harana is not some secret song a man sings for a woman. He is announcing his admiration to her whole family and all the neighbors! Harana brings excitement and a romantic air to the community as older couples reminisce about falling in love in their younger days, and cousins and siblings watch and prepare to tease the potential couple.